scamp Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 I have a 2004 AT 1.8T S line, sports suspension pack,18 inch wheels, 190bhp, all standard Audi. It has new michelins pilot sports, but always wheelspins when moving off (with even a light foot), torque steers like a pig, has way too light steering and far too hard and sensitive suspension giving the whole car a floaty feeling and really uninspiring or safe feeling to drive. Is there anything that can be done, i.e. any replacement spring types, dampers, is it woty getting the geometry changed. Anything that might make it less like its driving on stilts. Martin s ps I regularly do track events in another car and have had many decent, far more powerful front and rear drive cars so am not a total numptie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexc Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 I would start by getting the geometry checked, if it's out of alignment it can cause similar problems to those you described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_boon Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 havent driven a fwd version as i have the quattro version of your car so can comment on wheelspin. getting better tyres fitted would be a start pzero nero or goodyear F1's also fit either an S4 or RS4 rear anti roll bar and see how you go. plenty of suspension options such as coilovers. probably best so you can adjust them to your needs. KW2's or eibachs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 Nothing wrong with the Michelin pilot sports, I had then on my 2.0TDi A4 and had no problems like that. I would take it into the dealer and get them to check the car over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 Anything above about 150BHP through two FWD wheels is going to give you problems...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I have a 2004 AT 1.8T S line, sports suspension pack,18 inch wheels, 190bhp, all standard Audi. It has new michelins pilot sports, but always wheelspins when moving off (with even a light foot), torque steers like a pig, has way too light steering and far too hard and sensitive suspension giving the whole car a floaty feeling and really uninspiring or safe feeling to drive. Is there anything that can be done, i.e. any replacement spring types, dampers, is it woty getting the geometry changed. Anything that might make it less like its driving on stilts. Martin s ps I regularly do track events in another car and have had many decent, far more powerful front and rear drive cars so am not a total numptie. [/ QUOTE ] How new are your tyres? Some need a bedding in period before they come good. The other thing that you could try that does make a difference is having a 4 wheel alignment carried out. Had this done on S3 and although not that much out, 1mm here and there, it made a big difference to handling once it was rectified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 My mates used to do this also, he got rid and vowed to never buy another front wheel drive car again! All was going well with 4WD cars until now - he's just bought a 2.0T front wheel drive A3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scamp Posted November 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 Thanks, 4 wheel geometry check sounds like an idea to try. It had Pireli P zero rossos and they were worse than the Michelins. Most of my cars are rear drive but I've had front drives before and this isnt good. I realise that a lot of the problem id caused by the 18 inch wheels but its not good. Scamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 No - a lot of the problem is caused by 190BHP through 2 wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZURES3 Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Thanks, 4 wheel geometry check sounds like an idea to try. It had Pireli P zero rossos and they were worse than the Michelins. Most of my cars are rear drive but I've had front drives before and this isnt good. I realise that a lot of the problem id caused by the 18 inch wheels but its not good. Scamp [/ QUOTE ] I would say more of the issue is near 200 BHP through the front wheels. I test drove the FWD model and although I always intended on getting Quattro, driving the FWD made my mind up. AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 Wheelspin??? So you must have ESP off then Should have bought a quattro. Audi spend a lot of time and money ensuring the right tyres go on a production car so why change the tyre that is fitted. I have P P Zero Rosso's and they are amazing. Must be something wrong with the car. Have you checked the tyre preassures??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 I have a 1.8T Cabrio with 163hp and FWD and no torque steer issues ever. It'll scrabble a bit if you're too fierce pulling away in the wet, the rest of the time it's fine (and the wet weather wheelspin is easily driven around). I'd guess the 18 inch wheels might make a difference, I had a 3.0 Cab FWD (220hp I think) and that torque steered a bit when accelerating hard from low speed but at the time I put that down to the increased power rather than bigger wheels. I've also had a FWD A3 T-sport which was 150hp (16 inch wheels on that) and it was fine. Circa 150hp shouldn't be a problem, although it might be different with a diesel as more torque. It does sound like something is not quite right with the car in question. I'd suggest trying to get a test drive in another 1.8T FWD A4 and see how it compares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Audi spend a lot of time and money ensuring the right tyres go on a production car so why change the tyre that is fitted. I have P P Zero Rosso's and they are amazing. [/ QUOTE ] Totally agree. Same tyres fitted here and one of the best I've had so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPLiiX Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 I went onto the Pirelli web site and after about 20mins I eventually looked at tyres!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 PZ Rossos are useless when worn - they tramline very badly. Both my S3 and RS4 suffered with these. Luckily the new RS has PS2's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Wheelspin??? So you must have ESP off then [/ QUOTE ] When I had an A4 1.9TDi 130 chipped to 160+ it spun the tyres for a few seconds until the ESP cut in. It seems the ESP calibration could be better on some models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scamp Posted November 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 ESP is on. The Pirelis were low but not to the wera marks when I had it and I had assumed the wheelspin in first was due to them so bought Michelins Pilots sport 2's as they have always been good for me, but it still spins, so not saying the Pirellis were bad. I think most of the problems are due to the 18 inch wheels being on a car not designed for them and the sports suspension just makes the problems worse. Has no one else really had this? Apart from an alignment check on all wheels, has anyone ever had geometry changed to reduce understeer, and improve steering feel? sCAMP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny_boon Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 the tyre the car comes with isnt the best one possible for the car, just happens to be what deal they had attime of manufacture, thats why over the life of the A4 it has come out of the dealers when new with varying different tryes and manufacturers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 Scamp: Have your new tyres had time to bed in yet? I recently fitted new Goodyears and at first I thought they were ropey but after a few 100 miles comletely confident in their performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Has no one else really had this? [/ QUOTE ] As I mentioned, my friend sold his car (04 S Line Avant) as he really didn't enjoy this "feature". Not what you want to hear probably, he moved straight on an R32 then subsequently a TT - both obviously Haldex 4WD cars and bloody hard to wheel spin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scamp Posted November 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 My 'new ' michelins have now done 1500 miles. I'll have the wheel alignment checked, but then may have to revert back to the best cure. Buy a rear drive car. Its a shame though and does amaze me that a company such as Audi can release things like this. Scamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson_R32 Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 1. Get Suspension geomotry checked 2. Order an uprated RS4 Anti Roll Bar from your Local Centre - Should cost you about £90.00 The B6 FWD isn't really known for its handling fineese and if thats what you wanted from the car you should've bought a 3 Series. The B6 also runs ESP 5.6 which is frankly rubbish (cuts the power far too early and far too drastically) but the RS4 ARB is the best mod for your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] PZ Rossos are useless when worn - they tramline very badly. Both my S3 and RS4 suffered with these. Luckily the new RS has PS2's [/ QUOTE ] I must say my tyres (PZR's) are at about 4mm now and just lately I've noticed a tendency to tramline and ‘move about’ a little on bad roads, particularly under braking. Might be time for the PS2’s! [ QUOTE ] ESP is on. The Pirelis were low but not to the wera marks when I had it and I had assumed the wheelspin in first was due to them so bought Michelins Pilots sport 2's as they have always been good for me, but it still spins, so not saying the Pirellis were bad. I think most of the problems are due to the 18 inch wheels being on a car not designed for them and the sports suspension just makes the problems worse. Has no one else really had this? Apart from an alignment check on all wheels, has anyone ever had geometry changed to reduce understeer, and improve steering feel? sCAMP [/ QUOTE ] RS4 rear anti roll bar - just do it!! For half the price of one tyre you can have one fitted. You'll never see a bad word said against this mod. As for your other issues I can't help but without sounding like a smug bar steward once again I'm glad I ticked the Quattro box. Where are you? Maybe you could get along to a Windsor meet and see a Quattro car in action for yourself...... BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 To slow again Nelson!! BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I must say my tyres (PZR's) are at about 4mm now and just lately I've noticed a tendency to tramline and ‘move about’ a little on bad roads, particularly under braking. Might be time for the PS2’s! [/ QUOTE ] They get worse! 4mm is only 50% worn also! Don't get me wrong, they do actually suit some cars, but in the sizes I've had they've sucked. Thinking about it, I had them on my CSL also and they provided a useless amount of winter grip. Give Neros a try, they have a different design so may be better. Back to the point - don't stiffer ARB's mean more understeer? Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now